City of Columbia Establishes Columbia Cares Fund to Support the Orlando CommunityAfter Pulse Tragedy

June 23, 2016 (Columbia, S.C.): In response to the tragic events that occurred in Orlando, the City of Columbia today announced the establishment of the Columbia Cares Fund, a fundraising effort that allows the people of Columbia to collectively support cities across the nation during times of tragedy. To make a donation to the fund, visit www.ColumbiaSC.net/city-council/special-projects.

Donations to the Columbia Cares Fund will be sent collectively to the OneOrlando Fund as a gift from the people of Columbia. There will be no monies from the City of Columbia donated to the Columbia Cares Fund. The OneOrlando Fund was established by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to provide a way to help respond to the needs of the Orlando community now and in the time to come, after the effects of the Pulse tragedy. The funds will be administered by the Central Florida Foundation and will support the following areas:

· Nonprofits that are supporting the victims and families

· The LGBTQ, Hispanic, faith and other affected communities

· Underlying causes to this tragic event

· Other related needs not yet anticipated

“Last October, Columbia received an outpouring of support from other cities to help us recover from the flooding. The support and donations from these cities helped us begin the road to recovery,” notes City of Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steve Benjamin. “Now, it is our turn to give back. The Columbia Cares fund will allow Columbia to send a united donation to Orlando and help other cities that may face tragedies in the future.”

Central Carolina Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving the Midlands, will assist the City of Columbia with the administration of the Columbia Cares Fund. For over 30 years, the Community Foundation has been the trusted vehicle for philanthropy in the Midlands, connecting donors with areas of need every day.

“We are honored to assist the City of Columbia with the administration of this fund,” states JoAnn Turnquist, President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “We have established a vetting process to identify the most effective and impactful nonprofits addressing disasters in cities and are looking forward to helping the people of Columbia give back to other cities in need.”

The City of Columbia presented an $8,000 donation to the Palmetto Health Foundation for the Bosom Buddies Fund on Feb. 2, 2016. The City’s Breast Cancer Committee planned various events and sold t-shirts to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.

The donation to the Bosom Buddies Fund traditionally includes funds collected at the annual Mayor’s Breakfast Against Breast Cancer Isabel Law Breakfast, which was canceled last year due to the Historic October flood.

“The City of Columbia is proud to support the Bosom Buddies Fund,” stated Mayor Steve Benjamin. “Through the Palmetto Health Foundation, much needed assistance is provided to the patients and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve.”